Sixteen bodies remain trapped underground at the Gidan Best mining site in Mayo-Kam community, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, 34 days after a pit collapse on September 17, 2026.
Community accounts say at least 20 miners were killed when the pit caved in, but only four bodies have been recovered. Families of the remaining victims are still waiting for their loved ones to be brought out. “It’s over 30 days and 16 miners are still trapped. Only four bodies have been recovered so far,” a community leader said.
According to Sahara Reporters, community elders, political leaders and youths are demanding urgent action to recover the bodies and investigate the circumstances of the collapse. They have also warned of possible protests if their demands are not met.Residents questioned why mining continued in the area despite Governor Agbu Kefas’s reported ban on mining in Taraba State. They want a thorough investigation into how operations were allowed to go on and what led to the deadly collapse.
The tragedy has also drawn attention to allegations against Hon. Anas Shuaibu Didango, whom community members said handled activities, logistics and security deployments at the site. Didango denied knowledge of illegal mining activities and denied receiving benefits from security personnel.
Separately, Idris Danladi, the governor’s Special Assistant on Marketing, said he obtained video clips of alleged activities at the site and reported the matter to Professor Josiah Sabo Kente, the governor’s Special Assistant on Political Matters. Danladi said Kente subsequently sent people to investigate and that their findings supported the allegations.
The claims about activities at the site have not been independently established. More than a month after the collapse, residents say the failure to recover the remaining bodies has deepened anger in the community, as grieving families continue to wait for the return of their loved ones.
